not "funding" exactly....

[lyonesse.livejournal.com]

so i'm considering self-publishing a novel. i've already written it, and i don't think i need money to do anything further with it -- it's been edited, proofed, and typeset; i've even sold some copies as art books.

what i guess i would need is publicity. so i'm considering a plan like this: i put up an e-book for a few bucks on typical e-book sites. i ask people to buy it, and if they like it post reviews for a free reward short story (there's a prequel and a post story set in the same world) to the e-book sites or say goodreads, and if they don't like it to tell me so and i'll send them a private full refund.

does that sound workable, fair, likely to succeed....? thoughts solicited!

Comments

[i-id.livejournal.com]

Usually, you see people offering a few free e-copies of the actual book in exchange for reviews, but someone might bite for a short story.

It's important to follow through with the reward whether the review is positive or negative, though. Don't be That Author.

[lyonesse.livejournal.com]

huh, i thought that if they didn't like the novel, a short story would be a singularly unappealing reward -- that's why i was offering the refund as an alternative....

Hmm...

[ysabetwordsmith.livejournal.com]

Maybe have more than one short story? You could use ones that are out of print, and let people pick from several that have different topics. If they didn't like the novel they might still enjoy a different sample of your work.

Usually I see people giving away free ebooks (after all, they don't cost anything) because they're aiming at reviewers. But nowadays ordinary readers are writing reviews on places like Amazon or Goodreads. You may have hit on a way to encourage them to post reviews, by removing the risk and offering a perk.

Keep us posted if you try this? I'd like to hear how it turns out.

Re: Hmm...

[lyonesse.livejournal.com]

the trouble is that i don't know how i'd aim for reviewers to receive free copies in the first place, aside from asking my friends, which seems a little biased.

i do still worry that if someone doesn't like my writing, more of it (even on other topics) isn't much of a reward, is it? i can't return the time of unthrilled readers, but i can at least refund their dollar-ninety-nine or whatever.

will certainly keep posting if i do this :)

Re: Hmm...

[ysabetwordsmith.livejournal.com]

>>the trouble is that i don't know how i'd aim for reviewers to receive free copies in the first place, aside from asking my friends, which seems a little biased.<<

Asking personal friends is a fine way to start. Posting a review copy offer on a blog, community, mailing list, etc. may net people you don't know, or friends of friends. Some book services may let you give away free copies, though I think the Goodreads version is only for paper books. There are also professional review services that let authors buy reviews for publicity purposes, but those tend to be expensive.

>>i do still worry that if someone doesn't like my writing, more of it (even on other topics) isn't much of a reward, is it? i can't return the time of unthrilled readers, but i can at least refund their dollar-ninety-nine or whatever.<<

Maybe think of some other virtual perk? Mailing something probably isn't ideal in this context.

Hm, if a bunch of people were doing this, they could pool their prizes. Then readers could pick a perk from a different writer.

Re: Hmm...

[lyonesse.livejournal.com]

maybe a different question: why should review copies be free? i know that was the editorial tradition, but most reviews i read seem to come from end consumers, say like on amazon.

it would be awesome if a bunch of people were doing this! -- but i have no idea how i would network that together....

Re: Hmm...

[ysabetwordsmith.livejournal.com]

>>maybe a different question: why should review copies be free? i know that was the editorial tradition, but most reviews i read seem to come from end consumers, say like on amazon.<<

Review copies should be free because the reviewer is doing a favor by writing the review. It takes time to write. It also takes time for a professional reviewer to develop the skills of writing a good informative review, as contrasted with an ordinary consumer. It's useful to have more venues so that consumers can share their opinions about books ... but most of those people aren't writers, and it shows. Look at what they're writing. It's rarely as well done as what a skilled reviewer produces. Reviewers deserve compensation for their work, which customarily includes a free review copy, and sometimes cash if they write for a magazine that pays.

When trying to attract customer reviews, a free review copy helps attract people who might not otherwise bother to read or review the book. That makes it easier to get reviews than if you're asking people to gamble buying a book that they might or might not like.

Re: Hmm...

[lyonesse.livejournal.com]

hm. the people i am thinking of are *not* pro reviewers of any sort, and aren't, honestly, probably any better at this than the general run of consumers who'd agree to write reviews at all.

as i said in the original design, i'd be happy to refund the cost of the book to anyone who didn't like it, so it is free in that case. (and there's the short-story bonus for anyone who does like it....)

[lyonesse.livejournal.com]

thanks! i am only actually aware of goodreads by rumor, but i absolutely must check it out in detail :)